Super sub scoops major Prize

Last-minute replacement Robert Lloyd-Taylor stunned the York Hall crowd to win the light-middleweight Prizefighter title on Thursday night.The 31-year-old heating engineer from Hayes - a 25/1 outsider at the start of the night - stepped in for the unwell JJ Bird to become the first-ever reserve to win the crown and £32,000 cheque.Lloyd-Taylor, who didn't even bring his trainer to the arena such was the unlikelihood of him making the line-up, overcame Takaloo and favourite Peter Vaughan before easing past an exhausted Nick Quigley in the final.Bird pulled out of the competition after fainting in the dressing room in the build-up and, after Lloyd-Taylor won the coin toss to take his place, he immediately cashed in by overcoming veteran Takaloo on a split-decision in a low-quality opening quarter-final.Wayne Goddard (9-9) and Vaughan (4-4) then put their unbeaten records on the line in a high-octane contest, which also divided the judges.However, it was Banbury fighter Vaughan who edged it to secure a semi-final showdown with Lloyd-Taylor.Former Billericay footballer Kris Agyei-Dua then picked himself up off the canvas to overcome Jeff Thomas and reach the last four.The Essex fighter was sent tumbling by a thundering left hook from Thomas in round one but dominated the rest of the fight and, despite a first-ever draw, won the contest on the referee's scorecard.A Merseyside showdown between Stephen Harkin and Nick Quigley completed the quarter-final action and it was the latter who prevailed on the cards to extend his unbeaten run to eight fights.Contrasting styles collided in the first semi-final as the all-action Vaughan and silky smooth Lloyd-Taylor went head-to-head.And it was the last-minute replacement who came through courtesy of a third-round stoppage.After putting Vaughan on the canvas with a stunning uppercut, Lloyd-Taylor unleashed another flurry of brutal punches and the referee came in to stop the bout.All three judges were finally in agreement in the second semi-final as Liverpool's Quigley overcame Agyei-Dua 30-27 in the fight of the night.But Lloyd-Taylor proved too strong in the final and afterwards said: "I'm ecstatic. It was great. Last time I was on Sky I didn't perform too well so I think I've done myself proud tonight."I came in late, late notice and I've done the business. Prizefighter always opens doors so hopefully this brings me something decent."